Challenger

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As a result of the commission findings, NASA now has improved O-rings that have been tested in an array of temperatures. They have installed a crew bailout system. This system is not a solution to what happened but could potentially save lives. The implementation of stricter safety reviews, so that no launch will take place until all concerns are addressed. Better launching conditions, air temperature, wind speed, and bad weather are now taken seriously (Howell). More importantly if NASA would have had stricter regulations at the time, there is a good chance we would have never lost a space mission, a space shuttle, and seven American lives.

The Challenger explosion not only changed the way space travel was perceived, it also had a lasting impact on anyone who was alive during this time. It was the first time a civilian was entering space and would also be the most tragic space disaster in our history up until the Columbia explosion that occurred in 2003. This day was one of those days that you can remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news of the disaster. Not many events in someone's lifetime will do that to a person.

References:

"1983-1986: The Missions and History of Space Shuttle Challenger." NASASpaceFlight.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2014.

"7 myths about the Challenger shuttle disaster - Technology & science - Space | NBC News." msnbc.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2014.

Murray, Susan, Hanan Altabbakh, Katie Grantham, and Siddharth Damle. "The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster > ENGINEERING.com." ENGINEERING.com | The Engineer's Ultimate Resource Tool. N.p., June 2013. Web. 18 June 2014.

Dunbar, Brian. "Space Shuttle Overview: Challenger (OV-099)." NASA. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 12 Apr. 2013. Web. 18 June 2014.

"Presidential Commission Report on Space Shuttle Challenger Accident." Kennedy Space

Center Science and Technology Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2014.

"Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster." Space Projects - Space Information - Space Shop. N.p.,

1 Apr. 2014. Web. 18 June 2014.

Howell, Elizabeth. "Challenger: Shuttle Disaster That Changed NASA." Space.com. N.p.,

16 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 June 2014.

Spector, Diana. "NASA Challenger Anniversary Transcript." Business Insider. N.p.,

28 Jan. 2014. Web. 18 June 2014.

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